Is Avocado Acidic or Basic? Know Your Answers Here!

By - Syed Makhshaf Zaidi

Many people often wonder whether avocados are acidic or basic. Well, the reason is the taste which doesn’t really give a hint of its pH levels. For example, you taste lemon juice and quickly get the idea that it is acidic in nature. The taste of Avocado is nutty and buttery. 

So, is Avocado Acidic or basic? 

Avocados are slightly acidic, with a pH level between 6.3 to 6.6. Those foods that have a pH level below 7 are termed acidic, while above this limit are called Alkaline or Basic. Since the pH level of an avocado is close to neutral (7), nutritionists call it slightly or moderately acidic.

Want to know if this much acidity can cause any damage to health? Then stay till the end as I am describing everything there is to know. 

Why Are Avocados Acidic?

Avocados are rich in Ascorbic acid, Pantothenic acid, and some amino acids. Thus, the fruit has a tilt toward the acidity. 

But is it enough or too high to cause health complications? 

Let us now discuss the risks attached to this fruit. 

Can Eating Avocado Cause Stomach Pain?

People often ask, Are avocados good for your stomach? And most of the time, the answer is no.

It is true that Avocados are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that improve stomach health and are also great in taste. But it can cause more trouble to your stomach than the beneficial impacts.  

A 200-gram Avocado has the following nutritional value:

However, eating avocados can cause stomach problems. 

If you are allergic to avocados or have fiber intolerance, then avocados will cause stomach pain. Plus, If you have diarrhea, don’t eat avocados as it may worsen the condition.

But the biggest worry about eating Avocados is Acid Reflux and heartburn. 

Is Avocado Bad for Acid reflux?

Many people wonder, Is Avocado good for acidity? Well, No, it is not. 

Eating this fruit will affect the esophageal sphincter muscle. It is a muscle that acts as a door. When you eat the food, it opens up, and when the food goes into the stomach, it closes.  

This muscle protects the acid levels from going up into the esophagus. If it softens, the acidic effect will be felt upwards too.

In addition to this, the fat content is high in avocados which are not easy to digest. As a result, the stomach has to release more acid to break them down. 

Thus, avocados can worsen acid reflux.

Is Avocado Okay for GERD?

Want to know can you eat Avocado with GERD? Then this part is for you. 

GERD is an extreme form of acid reflux. 

You should stay away from avocados if you don’t want to aggravate GERD. 

Since avocados are not easily digestible and also soften the esophageal sphincter, people with high acidity can face lots of trouble after eating this fruit. 

Does Avocado Cause Heartburn?

Similarly, people also ask- Will avocado cause heartburn?

Yes, avocados can cause heartburn as heartburn is a symptom of Acid reflux. 

The main way it causes heartburn is by affecting the Esophageal sphincter. Since it gets softened and faces trouble in closing properly, then acid in the stomach can go up, causing heartburn. 

Is Avocado Bad for Ulcers?

Yes, Avocados are super bad for those suffering from ulcers. You might have now guessed the reason. 

The fatty acids in avocados are hard to digest. So, the stomach has to release more acid. This acid causes severe pain to those who have ulcers. 

Not only this, but it can also worsen the condition and make it more painful.

Are Avocados Good for Indigestion?

The fiber content in the avocados can relieve you from constipation and improve digestion. 

But the fruit itself takes lots of time to digest. So, I suggest you go for other fiber-rich fruits like bananas and apples to get rid of the indigestion issue.

But should you abandon Avocados altogether? No. To prevent any health complications from arising, I suggest you eat avocados in moderation.

How Many Avocados Can You Eat? 

You should not consume more than one-third of Avocado at once. 

Moreover, it is better if you eat something else with it as well. 

Want to know how you can eat Avocados in a healthy way? Then continue reading. 

What Are The Healthiest Ways to Eat Avocados?

Love to try Avocados but don’t want to face any digestion and stomach acid problems? Don’t worry; I am here to help.

A great way to enjoy Avocados is by making their seasoning. 

To make a seasoning, mash the one-third Avocado, and add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can spread it on toast or sweet Hawaiian bread and eat it. 

You can also add it to the Arabic cuisine called Shawarma.

Another healthy way to eat Avocados is by making a salad. 

In an Avocado salad, you can add tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, and some peppers to make a delicious salad. Eat it as a side dish with your main course and stay healthy.

Moreover, you can also make a creamy avocado soup. 

It only takes a few minutes to cook, so people with busy jobs prefer to make it. It is made with Avocado, lime, green onion, lemon juice, and garlic.

In addition to this, the Avocado smoothie is also famous in the tropical region. You can also make it yourself with animal milk or any plant-based milk like oat milk. 

But you use ripe Avocado in making all of this. What about Avocado oil?

Is Avocado Oil Acidic?

There is now a growing trend of replacing cooking oils with avocado oil. 

The reason is that it has a high smoking point (250 degrees Celsius) and can be used in almost every type of cooking (like frying, baking, etc.). 

Just like raw Avocado, Avocado oil is also moderately acidic. However, it is considered one of the healthiest oils. 

Just like olive oil, Avocado oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids that do not cause obesity. In fact, it enhances good cholesterol levels in the blood and also improves heart health. 

So, purchase Avocado oil from any nearby store and make it a permanent member of your kitchen cabinet. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does guacamole cause heartburn?

Guacamole is a dip that is made from mashed avocados. Some other ingredients are also added to make it, which are peppers, onions, salt, tomatoes, etc. Just like raw avocados, this avocado dish can also cause heartburn. The ingredients make the dish slightly more acidic than the raw Avocado, so it is more damaging. 

Why is an avocado considered a fruit?

In botanical terms, the Avocado is considered a fruit. It is, in fact, a berry and has a single seed in it. Plus, it is grown on the tree, like many other fruits. 

How do you know when an avocado is bad?

Avocados are bad when they are mushy, give off a bad smell, and have molds inside. The color will turn brown when the avocados go bad. But the best indication is the rancid smell. 

Final Words

You asked, Is Avocado acidic or basic? And I replied with a precise answer. Avocado is slightly acidic and has a pH in the range of 6.3 to 6.6. The reason for this acidity is Ascorbic acid, Pantothenic acid, and some amino acids.

Moreover, Avocados are hard to digest due to their fat content. 

Hence, the stomach has to release more acid to break them down quickly. Thus, they are not good for those who are suffering from Acid Reflux, heartburn, and GERD. 

But the beneficial effects of this fruit are also more. Therefore, include it in your diet in those ways which I have described above!